Ground Game Gimmicks for Gophers

The Ohio State Buckeyes will try to avoid their first back-to-back Big 10 losses in over five years against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Columbus this afternoon. The paucity of playmaking passes and a swift running game have plagued the Buckeyes all season. Dual-threat quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, was coveted by Columbus coaches to carry the club and crash the Big 10. Instead, the conference preseason player of the year has been powerless in getting his offense clicking. Purdue punctuated Pryor’s passes and applied pressure to the sophomore in a turnover-filled Buckeye loss a week ago. Today, the Jeanette, PA high school athlete will take a crack at the first Big 10 team he ever faced when the Gophers visit the Horseshoe. The Buckeyes hope to retain a semblance of their integrity with a dignified defeat today.
Ohio State primary emphasis should be establishing rather than abandoning the run against Minnesota. The Buckeyes are 6-0 against the Gophers under Jim Tressel. Pryor’s predictability put the team in position to be run over by the pass rushing of opposing defense. A consistent ground attack would alleviate some of the quibbling on Pryor. The passer does deserve slight criticism for making poor decisions, but it’s the entire offense that needs to step up for Ohio State. Minnesota is 10th in the conference and 87th nationally in rushing defense. They awarded 177 yards last Saturday in a shutout 20 point pummeling by Penn State. The Nittany Lions succeeded in securing first downs by converting 11 of 17 third downs. Ohio State must mimic the meteoric performance of Penn State to beat Minnesota at home.
It makes all the sense in the world to get the ball to running back, Brandon Saine. Tailback, Dan Herron, also needs more touches. Defenses have been loading up and humbling the Buckeye backfield for weeks now. Ohio State is known for having a powerful running game. It’s time to re-establish and celebrate ground control in Columbus. The play of 18th ranked Ohio State’s quarterback will be highlighted this week. The offensive line looks confused and Pryor has been forced to make quick decisions with the ball. Saine had 36 yards on his first four carries against Purdue. Pryor handed off to his back just three more times during the game. It is imperative to run the ball to expand the offensive options. Pryor’s former coach called his mechanics robotic. It does seem like the sophomore is going through the motions, only to turn the ball over because of careless miscues. Pryor’s pitiful play has been infecting the porous offense. Purdue pounded and plowed through the line before Pryor even had a chance on a number of occasions. It’s important for Ohio State to start strong on drives. Pryor can pitch the ball to the backfield to begin drives on the positive side. The Buckeyes can’t begin possessions with a loss of yardage because of penalties. False starts and fumbles are inexcusable this week. If Wisconsin was able to rack up close to 300 yards earlier this month against the Gophers, Ohio State should have their way as well.
The Ohio State defense has been a bright spot for so long in Columbus. They do not have the talent of former teams, but still tend to excel. Minnesota receiver, Eric Decker, is an all-conference player. He averaged 127 yards per game through the Gophers’ first five contests. Decker has caught a mere 46 over the past two weeks, including only one pass against Penn State. One of the nation’s top wideouts, Decker has not recorded a touchdown in three tries against the Bucks. The torrid receiver fields passes from veteran signal caller, Adam Weber. Weber compliments his offense but if the front four on defense for OSU apply enough pressure, he will garner glitches. Minnesota is least productive in the Big 10 when it comes to the run. Their leading back, Duane Bennett, averages just over 40 yards per game and netted in the single digits against the Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes are second only to Penn State in defending the run. Linebackers Brian Rolle and Austin Spitler shouldn’t have trouble drilling Bennett his backups.
Tressel has to do something else because his strategy and play-calling the past few weeks have not been working. Today is homecoming at Ohio State. Students and fans would like nothing more than a Buckeye bashing in the Horseshoe. The Gophers only victories this season have come on games in which they trailed. Therefore, Ohio State has to apply concentration and stay focused all four quarters. The Buckeyes do best when maintaining possession of the ball. The offense depends on the defense as much as the 16th ranked defense attributes success to Pryor and the offense. Pryor cannot look incompetent against a less talented football team today. The showy sophomore has to be more fastidious. If he falters at all, Buckeye fans could see the return of backup passer, Joe Bauserman. As an avid backer of the Bucks, I sure hope it doesn’t come to that point by the conclusion of today’s game.

Parting Points: Other college games to tune into today include the one in Kansas where the number 24th ranked Jayhawks host number 25 Oklahoma. Also, number 13 Penn State travels to the Big House to take on Michigan at 3:30.